dogs on the trail?

“well since micah has dissappeared i'll have to take his place

LNT=LDH

Seriously though, i bring my dog on the trail as often as I can, and he loves his pack - well, maybe not as far as love but it sure doesn't slow him down at all, unless it gets caught on brush - you might have to watch that, and yes, it doesn't stop him from jumping in the lake.”

“LDH?”

“leave dogs home...”

“I started Honey on walks with the pack empty so she could get used to it. We'd go get dvds and she'd get to carry them home. LOL! You might also find that the dog is a lot more calm with the pack on too. Honey's packing list always consists of...

*rough comb (she's a long haired but you won't need this)- Keeps her clean and I get a lot of ticks off her this way. If you're concerned about ticks you might just bring a fine toothed cheap comb. You'd be surprised how many you never see. Check around their ears and between the toes.

*A beach towel- I use this to dry her off before bed time and then lay the towel down on the tent floor to protect it and to give her a bed. OK, half a bed because she ends up sleeping on ME!

*Chewies

*Sandwich sized Gladware bowls (2)- I keep her food for the day in one and then nestle them together and the other one is for water. I like these because they are flatter than a regular bowl and they are cheap cheap cheap!

*a ball or frisby

*Training collar- For when she gets to be off lead in the more deserted places.

*leash- Always always always!

*small treats to carry in your pocket- If they know where the treats are they won't stray too far away. I never do!”

“We started putting our packs on the dogs empty for day hikes. Then started adding a little weight until they were carrying a couple days worth of food. We do give them a bit of extra food when backpacking and package each meal in a plastic zip-lock inside their packs (that way you don't have to measure). One of our dogs is on a raw diet and he gets a freeze dried food--you might want to look into that for the trail as it weighs about 1/2 of what kibble weighs, which really adds up on multiple day trips. They have collapsible water and food bowls which they carry in their packs. Carry lots of healthy treats both to provide them with some extra calories and to practice your recall when they are off leash. Take an obedience class before hitting the trail. Always carry a leash in a handy place outside of your pack, so you can leash them quickly if you need to.”

“nigal and foam.... thanks so much for the tips... i'm real new at the "bringing the dog on the trail" deal.

also, nige, thanks for the list of items. i didn't even think of bringing a ball or frisbee (BAD MOMMY!).”

“scorchfire, I would bring more food for your dog.”

“Scorchy baby, that's awesome! My biggest advice situation suggestion thing would be to make sure your dog already obeys your commands and if you feel ready to unleash her on a trail, make sure it's not a popular trail. When you encounter other people, especially if they have a dog, I'd make sure your dog is leashed so she knows how you expect to her act. I can't remember the last time my dogs have worn a collar, much less a leash, so if you do this a lot your dog will know what you want at all times. I have german sheps though so it is more of their nature to stay close to their master, I'm not as familiar with labs, although I know labs tend to be much more friendlier and playful with strangers. One thing you can be sure of, and it's universal with all dogs... they will enjoy your farts and they will cram their noses in your crotch during your period. Don't fight it. Anyway, congrats on taking your dog hiking, may you emBARK on many pawsitive adventures. Rarf. Happy tails!”

“LDH! LDH! LSFH! LSFH!”

“Leave bacpac home!! Get over it.

Buddur, that little red X sure doesn't look like a puppy to me.

One thing you can be sure of, and it's universal with all dogs... they will enjoy your farts and they will cram their noses in your crotch during your period.

that's.. cute.. buck.”

“Bears and deer are attracted to women during their menstral cycle also.”

““Always carry a leash in a handy place outside of your pack, so you can leash them quickly if you need to.”

Very good advice! I actually leave the leash on her and then gather the leash up and tuck it under one of the pack straps on top of her pack. This way I can just grab the leash end and it pops right out. She never wanders too far away from me and as soon as I see someone coming I call her back and grab the leash. Even then I keep the training collar on her if she’s going to be off leash. For some reason she has to divert power from her ears to her nose when she smells something interesting. LOL! I have not had her jump on other hikers once doing this. I absolutely HATE dogs that jump on people. It’s right up there with biting. If my dog jumps on someone and gets whacked for it, it’s our fault (mine mostly).”

““also, nige, thanks for the list of items. i didn't even think of bringing a ball or frisbee (BAD MOMMY!).”

More than likely they will not even pay attention to the ball or Frisbee because of all the wonderful sticks there are to chew on! LOL!”

“yea.. she's defnitely a stick dog.. AND believe it or not, she LOVES rocks. thinks they're balls. dumb dog. the worst thing is, she'll pick up this huge rock and bring it over to you and drop it on your foot.”

“The bigger the better.”

“Poor Buddurdog!”

““yea.. she's defnitely a stick dog.. AND believe it or not, she LOVES rocks. thinks they're balls. dumb dog. the worst thing is, she'll pick up this huge rock and bring it over to you and drop it on your foot.”
ScorchFire
11:24:42 AM
10/19/04
ignore this user

LMAO! My dog does the same thing.”

“right? wtf. it's like this huge boulder that she carries to me for the purpose of breaking my toes.”

“maybe he just likes to watch you dance!”

“she, roam. she.”

“The worse thing is, if I don't pick it up she will and drop it again.”

“Now I remember why I carry pepper spray on the trail.”

“How would all you dog owners feel if your dog ran up to someone far ahead on the trail and got pepper sprayed?”

“carrying dogs are like anything else, as long as the owner is responsible it'll be fine.”

“Maybe my dog needs to wear a sign that says, "Falling Rock Zone."”

“breathable, waterproof doggie coats for $15-20.

http://www.sstack.com/jump.jsp?itemID=219&itemType=CATEGORY&iMainCat=209&iSubCat=219”

““How would all you dog owners feel if your dog ran up to someone far ahead on the trail and got pepper sprayed?”

Depends on what she did to them. If she jumped up on them spray away. It'd teach her a lesson. the key is to teach your dog NOT to get ahead of you on the trail. Good trail manners start at home.”

“be a good idea to get your dog a small cow bell. This way, if it does get away from you and runs through the woods, you will be able audibly track them. When Khatru runs the shoreline, while I'm floating on the river, I can keep track of him, just by listening for the bell...it works!”

“Hey Nigal, what are you doing ?

Trolling for Buck”

“Had to go back a day or two to know what you were talking about. LOL! Buck wouldn't agree that someone spraying a misbehaving dog is OK? I'm a dog owner and dog lover myself but I'd spray a dog for jumping on me. :)”

“Its a dog owners responsibility to keep his pet under control, whether in his front yard or on the trail. Just last night while jogging thru a neighborhood there was a dog in a yard that I'd never seen outside before. A woman was on a phone in the driveway, but the dog was in between her house and the one next door, so I wasn't immediately sure it was hers. As I passed the yard she waved and her dog noticed me and started to growl, bark and run towards me. She yelled and yelled, but the dog didn't stop, rather he ran out towards me into the street. While I was deciding whether or not to kick him in the jaw or assume his charge was a bluff, she shouts "HE WON"T BITE" so I kinda ignored the charge and said "hey puppy dog" in a kind voice to him, he stopped and kinda sniffed at my heels as I continued on past.

If I'd had spray, he would have gotten a face full. If she hadn't been outside, I prolly woulda kicked his jaw in. This was about a 50 pound lab/mix - fairly large dog and it was comeing strong at me. Having never seen it before (and I run this neighborhood often) I had no idea about it.

Anyway - keep your dog under control, i know I will.”

“My dog Honey would come running out at you but just because she loves everyone. She gets so excited to see people she will 50% of time end up jumping on you. The bad thing is, I know that, she knows that but YOU don't know that. It's the one thing I haven't been able to break her of but it is very, very rare she get's out of control because I'm so leash strict.”

“see, your leash strict - thats what makes the diff.

I tend to assume that most dogs of the "non violent tending" breeds are just running to play, but there's that 1% ya know?”

“Ya know, I kinda agree with both sides of the issue. If a dog is comming at me in an aggressive manner then kicking, spraying, or even shooting would be in order. An owners reassurance of "he wont bite" means little or nothing to me.
My dog is a lab/sheperd mix, very well trained, very good temperment, apathetic to adults on the trail, friendly with children...However, once my tent has been set up she wont let anyone within 50yds of my camp without my O.K.(including rangers..lol) I didn't train her to do this but I'm totally O.K. with it. Dogs are a great way to discourage those folks who feel it necessary to visit every camp on the lake.(It's about solitude people!)
I keep her leashed on main-trails, but once I'm off the beaten path I let her go, but she stays within 20ft of me at all times.
My biggest worry is not her messing with another hiker, it's another hikers aggressive unleashed dog messing with her. For those of you that refuse to properly train your animal beware; not everyone carries pepper spray, some of us carry handguns so leash your animal please! I love dogs, but I will maintain my place on the food-chain.”

“Dog should be under control.
If your voice will not control the dog, a leash is required.

A far bigger problem is when the dog owner does not attempt to control the dog.

This includes all those that allow their dog to make aggressive displays toward people on public pathways, or contact displays of affection.

Almost every dog problem is really an irresponsible person problem, morons who train dogs to be aggressive, and owners in denial.”

“90% of a dogs problems are directly related their owners or even the breeders.
I cant believe how many people who have puppies will let them go as early as 4 weeks!!! Anytime a dog is taken away from its mother earlier than 8weeks is a recipe for disaster. Often times these animals cannot ever be properly trained despite the vigilance of their owners.
Also, all these new-age, touchy-feely, dog training books are pure Bull Shat! Dogs are not people, I dont believe in hitting your dog, but certain aggressive training techniques applied at the proper time and place are invaluable ways to communicate your dominance. When your aging puppy starts to snap or growl at inappropriate times this must be met with instant "corrections". If your dog jumps up on you then simple put your knee in front of you, the dog will learn quickly that jumping onto your outstreched knee is not so much fun. I've been critisized by some friends who dont like these methods, but there dog has bitten no less than 3 people in one year, and when it sees a chance to run my friend goes running through his nieghborhood yelling NO! NO! NO! This means nothing to his dog because NO!is never backed up with anything more than "good dog!" So, the dog is basically rewarded for misbehaving. My dog doesnt bite, jump, or run from me. I dont hit my dog, I correct my dog, which is something I rarely have to do anymore since she is 18months old and is a well adjusted friendly animal that knows she must listen to her master. If your not will to discipline you dog, then dont get one. While your at it, you might want to reconsider having children as well. A poorly raised human is the most dangerous animal you'll ever encounter.”

“I agree with the aggressive approach for training. My dog was real skiddish when I got him at 2 y.o. and I always wanted to be kind since I didn't know what was causing this behavior. It just wasn't doing the job though. I had a friend who said her obedience instructor had them smacking the dog with the leash while using the heal command. I thought it was insane at first but I figured a choker can't feel to good either so I tried it. The dog follows me around the neighborhood with few problems now. If I can just get him to stop chasing that damn stray cat it'd be great.”

“Agreed about the training...we had to tell a friend to f off one time because we yelled at sasha to stop missbehaving (She didnt want to take her meds) she responds well to voice and by yelling she instantly new she had done wrong and came slinking back. This was in front of a friend who was shocked anyone would raise their voice to an animal. (and she's never even owned a dog, ever!) She at once labled us "abussive" just for correcting the dog...a dog who gets baths all the time, gets to go to the groomers once a month, has 20 billion toys, treats everyday, and is one of hte best behaved smartest dogs I have ever seen...had never ever been hit! gosh...abusive we must be. She tried giving us all kinds of advice and we promtly told her to leave. We've not talked to her since.”

“gee Spirit C - your even abusive to your "friends"

:P”

“a word on "choker" collars.

who ever first named them "chokers" was an ass. they are technically called slip collars.

when used properly they are much kinder to the dog than a normal collar.

think of this: when your dog is pulling with a normal collar, all of it's weight is on the front on the collar, right on it's throat - actually choking the dog.

with a slip collar, the force is evenly distributed around the entire neck.

the problem with slip collars is that most people do not know the correct way to put it on the dog, let alone use one.”

“Tell the man about it, Tyrone!”

“Honey has one of the hybrid chokers which is a nylon colar with a mid section of choker chain. Works great.”

“this weekend marks Bailey dog's first bag night ever!

wish her luck : )”

“Good luck. You're gonna have so much fun!”

“i'm just excited for the extra warmth at night : )

it's going down to 24*”

“If it gets real cold, you can slice her open and crawl inside, just like in Star Wars....”

“I love hiking with Honey Dog cause she's not allowed in bed at home (this means when the wife is home!). She is such a snuggle bug at night.”

“My chihuahua loves to sleep in the very bottom of my down sleeping bag. I have an extra long sleeping bag, so I have empty space down there.”

“I had to get the women's down bag for my self and my dog because there is no sleeping at the bottom for her! She has to be right next to me with her head on the pillow, too. It really is cute but boy, do I feel cramped! If I roll over in any way, she rolls right with me...sleeping between me and the bag, she really has no choice. She has virtually no fur on her belly and what fur she has on her body is not real thick so I can't take her when it is cold out.”